Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

Last updated
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Jean Smart by Gage Skidmore.jpg
The 2024 recipient: Jean Smart
Awarded forOutstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Country United States
Presented by Academy of Television Arts & Sciences
First awarded1954
Currently held by Jean Smart,
Hacks (2024)
Website emmys.com

This is a list of winners and nominees of the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. Beginning with the 18th Primetime Emmy Awards, leading actresses in comedy have competed alone. However, these comedic performances included actresses from miniseries, telefilms, and guest performers competing against main cast competitors. Such instances are marked below:

Contents

The 71st Primetime Emmy Awards were the first and, so far, only Emmys where there is no representation from any of the big four broadcast networks.

Winners and nominations

1950s

YearActressRoleProgramNetwork
Best Female Star of a Regular Series
1954
(6th)
[note 1]
[1]
Eve Arden Connie Brooks Our Miss Brooks CBS
Lucille Ball Lucy Ricardo I Love Lucy CBS
Imogene Coca Various characters Your Show of Shows NBC
Dinah Shore Herself The Dinah Shore Show
Loretta Young Various characters The Loretta Young Show
Best Actress Starring in a Regular Series
1955
(7th)
[note 1]
[2]
Loretta YoungVarious charactersThe Loretta Young ShowNBC
Gracie Allen Gracie Allen The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show CBS
Eve ArdenConnie BrooksOur Miss Brooks
Lucille BallLucy RicardoI Love Lucy
Ann Sothern Susie McNamara Private Secretary
Best Actress - Continuing Performance
1956
(8th)
[note 1]
[3]
Lucille BallLucy RicardoI Love LucyCBS
Gracie AllenGracie AllenThe George Burns and Gracie Allen ShowCBS
Eve ArdenConnie BrooksOur Miss Brooks
Jean Hagen Margaret Williams Make Room for Daddy ABC
Ann SothernSusie McNamaraPrivate SecretaryCBS
Best Continuing Performance by an Actress
1957
(9th)
[note 1]
[4]
Loretta YoungVarious charactersThe Loretta Young ShowNBC
Jan Clayton Ellen Miller Lassie CBS
Ida Lupino Various characters Four Star Playhouse
Peggy Wood Mama Mama
Jane Wyman Various characters Jane Wyman Theatre NBC
Best Continuing Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Dramatic or Comedy Series
1958
(10th)
[note 1]
[5]
Jane Wyatt Margaret Anderson Father Knows Best NBC
Eve ArdenLiza Hammond The Eve Arden Show CBS
Spring Byington Lily Ruskin December Bride
Jan ClaytonEllen MillerLassie
Ida LupinoEve Drake Mr. Adams and Eve
Best Actress in a Leading Role (Continuing Character) in a Comedy Series
1959
(11th)
Jane WyattMargaret AndersonFather Knows BestCBS & NBC
Gracie AllenGracie AllenThe George Burns and Gracie Allen ShowCBS
Spring ByingtonLily RuskinDecember Bride
Ida LupinoEve AdamsMr. Adams and Eve
Donna Reed Donna Stone The Donna Reed Show ABC
Ann SothernKaty O'ConnorThe Ann Sothern ShowCBS

1960s

YearActressRoleProgramNetwork
Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Series (Lead or Support)
1960
(12th)
[note 1]
[6]
Jane Wyatt Margaret Anderson Father Knows Best CBS
Donna Reed Donna Stone The Donna Reed Show ABC
Teresa Wright Margaret Bourke-White NBC Sunday Showcase NBC
Loretta Young Various characters The Loretta Young Show
Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Series (Lead)
1961
(13th)
[note 1]
[7]
Barbara Stanwyck Various characters The Barbara Stanwyck Show NBC
Donna ReedDonna StoneThe Donna Reed ShowABC
Loretta YoungVarious charactersThe Loretta Young ShowNBC
Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actress in a Series (Lead)
1962
(14th)
[note 1]
[8]
Shirley Booth Hazel Burke Hazel NBC
Gertrude Berg Sarah Green The Gertrude Berg Show CBS
Donna ReedDonna StoneThe Donna Reed ShowABC
Mary Stuart Joanne Gardner Search for Tomorrow CBS
Cara Williams Gladys Porter Pete and Gladys
1963
(15th)
[note 1]
[9]
Shirley BoothHazel BurkeHazelNBC
Lucille Ball Lucy Carmichael The Lucy Show CBS
Shirl Conway Liz Thorpe The Nurses
Mary Tyler Moore Laura Petrie The Dick Van Dyke Show
Irene Ryan Granny The Beverly Hillbillies
1964
(16th)
[note 1]
[10]
Mary Tyler MooreLaura PetrieThe Dick Van Dyke ShowCBS
Shirley BoothHazel BurkeHazelNBC
Patty Duke Cathy Lane The Patty Duke Show ABC
Irene RyanGrannyThe Beverly HillbilliesCBS
Inger Stevens Katy Holstrum The Farmer's Daughter ABC
Outstanding Individual Achievements in Entertainment - Actors and Performers
1965
(17th)
[note 1]
Leonard Bernstein Conductor New York Philharmonic Young People's Concerts with Leonard Bernstein CBS
Lynn Fontanne Fanny Bowditch Holmes Hallmark Hall of Fame : "The Magnificent Yankee"NBC
Alfred Lunt Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.
Barbra Streisand Herself My Name Is Barbra CBS
Dick Van Dyke Rob PetrieThe Dick Van Dyke Show
Julie Andrews Herself The Andy Williams Show : "November 30, 1964"NBC
Johnny Carson Host The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Gladys Cooper Margaret St. Clair The Rogues
Robert Coote Timmy St. Clair
Richard Crenna James Slattery Slattery's People CBS
Julie Harris Florence Nightingale Hallmark Hall of Fame: "The Holy Terror"NBC
Bob Hope HimselfChrysler Presents A Bob Hope Comedy Special
Dean Jagger Principal Albert Vane Mr. Novak
Danny Kaye Host The Danny Kaye Show CBS
David McCallum Illya Kuryakin The Man from U.N.C.L.E. NBC
Red Skelton Himself The Red Skelton Hour CBS
Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Comedy Series
1966
(18th)
Mary Tyler MooreLaura PetrieThe Dick Van Dyke ShowCBS
Lucille BallLucy CarmichaelThe Lucy ShowCBS
Elizabeth Montgomery Samantha Stephens Bewitched ABC
1967
(19th)
Lucille BallLucy CarmichaelThe Lucy ShowCBS
Elizabeth MontgomerySamantha StephensBewitchedABC
Agnes Moorehead Endora
Marlo Thomas Ann Marie That Girl
1968
(20th)
Lucille BallLucy CarmichaelThe Lucy ShowCBS
Barbara Feldon Agent 99 Get Smart NBC
Elizabeth MontgomerySamantha StephensBewitchedABC
Paula Prentiss Paula Hollister He & She CBS
Marlo ThomasAnn MarieThat GirlABC
1969
(21st)
Hope Lange Carolyn Muir The Ghost & Mrs. Muir NBC
Diahann Carroll Julia Baker Julia NBC
Barbara FeldonAgent 99Get Smart
Elizabeth MontgomerySamantha StephensBewitchedABC

1970s

YearActressRoleProgramNetwork
1970
(22nd)
Hope Lange Carolyn Muir The Ghost & Mrs. Muir ABC
Elizabeth Montgomery Samantha Stephens Bewitched ABC
Marlo Thomas Ann Marie That Girl
1971
(23rd)
Jean Stapleton Edith Bunker All in the Family CBS
Marlo ThomasAnn MarieThat GirlABC
Mary Tyler Moore Mary Richards The Mary Tyler Moore Show CBS
1972
(24th)
Jean StapletonEdith BunkerAll in the FamilyCBS
Sandy Duncan Sandy Stockton Funny Face CBS
Mary Tyler MooreMary RichardsThe Mary Tyler Moore Show
1973
(25th)
Mary Tyler MooreMary RichardsThe Mary Tyler Moore ShowCBS
Jean StapletonEdith BunkerAll in the FamilyCBS
Bea Arthur Maude Findlay Maude
1974
(26th)
Mary Tyler MooreMary RichardsThe Mary Tyler Moore ShowCBS
Bea ArthurMaude FindlayMaudeCBS
Jean StapletonEdith BunkerAll in the Family
1975
(27th)
Valerie Harper Rhoda Morgenstern Rhoda CBS
Jean StapletonEdith BunkerAll in the FamilyCBS
Mary Tyler MooreMary RichardsThe Mary Tyler Moore Show
1976
(28th)
Mary Tyler MooreMary RichardsThe Mary Tyler Moore ShowCBS
Lee Grant Fay Stewart Fay NBC
Bea ArthurMaude FindlayMaudeCBS
Cloris Leachman Phyllis Lindstrom Phyllis
Valerie HarperRhoda MorgensternRhoda
1977
(29th)
Bea ArthurMaude FindlayMaudeCBS
Jean StapletonEdith BunkerAll in the FamilyCBS
Valerie HarperRhoda MorgensternRhoda
Suzanne Pleshette Emily Hartley The Bob Newhart Show
Mary Tyler MooreMary RichardsThe Mary Tyler Moore Show
1978
(30th)
Jean StapletonEdith BunkerAll in the FamilyCBS
Bea ArthurMaude FindlayMaudeCBS
Valerie HarperRhoda MorgensternRhoda
Cathryn Damon Mary Campbell Soap ABC
Katherine Helmond Jessica Tate
Suzanne PleshetteEmily HartleyThe Bob Newhart ShowCBS
1979
(31st)
Ruth Gordon §Dee Wilcox Taxi ABC
Linda Lavin Alice Hyatt Alice CBS
Jean StapletonEdith BunkerAll in the Family
Katherine HelmondJessica TateSoapABC
Isabel Sanford Louise Jefferson The Jeffersons CBS

1980s

YearActressRoleProgramEpisode SubmissionsNetwork
1980
(32nd)
Cathryn Damon Mary Campbell Soap ABC
Polly Holliday Flo Castleberry Flo CBS
Sheree North §Dotty Wertz Archie Bunker's Place
Isabel Sanford Louise Jefferson The Jeffersons
Katherine Helmond Jessica TateSoapABC
1981
(33rd)
Isabel SanfordLouise JeffersonThe Jeffersons"And the Doorknobs Shined Like Diamonds"CBS
Eileen Brennan §Mrs. McKenzie Taxi "Thy Boss's Wife"ABC
Cathryn DamonMary CampbellSoap
Katherine HelmondJessica Tate
Lynn Redgrave Ann Atkinson House Calls CBS
1982
(34th)
Carol Kane §Simka DahblitzTaxi"Simka Returns"ABC
Swoosie Kurtz Laurie Morgan Love, Sidney NBC
Nell Carter Nellie Harper Gimme a Break!
Charlotte Rae Edna Garrett The Facts of Life
Bonnie Franklin Ann Romano One Day at a Time CBS
Isabel SanfordLouise JeffersonThe Jeffersons
1983
(35th)
Shelley Long Diane Chambers Cheers "Give Me a Ring Sometime"NBC
Mariette Hartley Jennifer Barnes Goodnight, Beantown CBS
Isabel SanfordLouise JeffersonThe Jeffersons
Nell CarterNellie HarperGimme a Break!NBC
Swoosie KurtzLaurie MorganLove, Sidney
Rita Moreno Violet Newstead 9 to 5 ABC
1984
(36th)
Jane Curtin Allie Lowell Kate & Allie CBS
Joanna Cassidy Jo Jo White Buffalo Bill NBC
Shelley LongDiane ChambersCheers
Susan Saint James Kate McArdleKate & AllieCBS
Isabel SanfordLouise JeffersonThe Jeffersons
1985
(37th)
Jane CurtinAllie LowellKate & AllieCBS
Shelley LongDiane ChambersCheersNBC
Phylicia Rashad Clair Huxtable The Cosby Show
Susan Saint JamesKate McArdleKate & AllieCBS
Isabel SanfordLouise JeffersonThe Jeffersons
1986
(38th)
Betty White Rose Nylund The Golden Girls "In a Bed of Rose's"NBC
Shelley LongDiane ChambersCheersNBC
Bea Arthur Dorothy Zbornak The Golden Girls"The Triangle"
Rue McClanahan Blanche Devereaux "The Way We Met"
Phylicia RashadClair HuxtableThe Cosby Show"Cliff in Love"
1987
(39th)
Rue McClanahanBlanche DevereauxThe Golden Girls"End of the Curse"NBC
Blair Brown Molly Bickford Dodd The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd NBC
Bea ArthurDorothy ZbornakThe Golden Girls"The Stan Who Came to Dinner"
Betty WhiteRose Nylund"Isn't It Romantic?"
Jane CurtinAllie LowellKate & AllieCBS
1988
(40th)
Bea ArthurDorothy ZbornakThe Golden Girls"My Brother, My Father"NBC
Kirstie Alley Rebecca Howe Cheers"Backseat Becky, Upfront"NBC
Blair BrownMolly Bickford DoddThe Days and Nights of Molly Dodd
Rue McClanahanBlanche DevereauxThe Golden Girls"Strange Bedfellows"
Betty WhiteRose Nylund"Bringing Up Baby"
1989
(41st)
Candice Bergen Murphy Brown Murphy Brown "Respect"CBS
Blair BrownMolly Bickford DoddThe Days and Nights of Molly Dodd Lifetime
Rue McClanahanBlanche DevereauxThe Golden Girls"Yes, We Have No Havanas"NBC
Betty WhiteRose Nylund"High Anxiety"
Bea ArthurDorothy Zbornak"Love Me Tender"

1990s

YearActressRoleProgramEpisode SubmissionsNetwork
1990
(42nd)
Candice Bergen Murphy Brown Murphy Brown "Brown Like Me" CBS
Kirstie Alley Rebecca Howe Cheers "The Improbable Dream, Part 1" NBC
Betty White Rose Nylund The Golden Girls "Rose Fights Back"
Blair Brown Molly Bickford Dodd The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd Lifetime
Delta Burke Suzanne Sugarbaker Designing Women "They Shoot Fat Women, Don't They?"CBS
1991
(43rd)
Kirstie AlleyRebecca HoweCheers"The Days of Wine and Neuroses"NBC
Candice BergenMurphy BrownMurphy Brown"On Another Plane"CBS
Delta BurkeSuzanne SugarbakerDesigning Women"The Bachelor Auction"
Blair BrownMolly Bickford DoddThe Days and Nights of Molly Dodd"Here's a Pregnant Pause"Lifetime
Betty WhiteRose NylundThe Golden Girls"Once, in St. Olaf"NBC
1992
(44th)
Candice BergenMurphy BrownMurphy Brown"Birth 101"CBS
Roseanne Barr Roseanne Conner Roseanne "A Bitter Pill to Swallow" ABC
Kirstie AlleyRebecca HoweCheers"An Old Fashioned Wedding"NBC
Tyne Daly §Mimsy Borogroves Wings "My Brother's Keeper"
Betty WhiteRose NylundThe Golden Girls"Dateline: Miami"
Marion Ross Sophie Berger Brooklyn Bridge "Brave New World"CBS
1993
(45th)
Roseanne BarrRoseanne ConnerRoseanne"Wait Till Your Father Gets Home"ABC
Candice BergenMurphy BrownMurphy Brown"Games Mothers Play"CBS
Marion RossSophie BergerBrooklyn Bridge"Brave New Worlds"
Kirstie AlleyRebecca HoweCheers"One for the Road"NBC
Helen Hunt Jamie Buchman Mad About You "Pilot"
1994
(46th)
Candice BergenMurphy BrownMurphy Brown"It's Just Like Riding a Bike"CBS
Helen HuntJamie BuchmanMad About You"Cold Feet"NBC
Annie Potts Dana Palladino Love & War "I've Got a Crush on You"CBS
Roseanne BarrRoseanne ConnerRoseanne"The Driver's Seat"ABC
Patricia Richardson Jill Taylor Home Improvement "The Colonel"
1995
(47th)
Candice BergenMurphy BrownMurphy Brown"Requiem for a Crew Guy"CBS
Roseanne BarrRoseanne ConnerRoseanne"Thanksgiving 1994"ABC
Ellen DeGeneres Ellen Morgan Ellen "The Spa"
Helen HuntJamie BuchmanMad About You"The Ride Home"NBC
Cybill Shepherd Cybill Sheridan Cybill "Virgin, Mother, Crone"CBS
1996
(48th)
Helen HuntJamie BuchmanMad About You"The Finale"NBC
Ellen DeGeneresEllen MorganEllen"Witness"ABC
Fran Drescher Fran Fine The Nanny "The Hockey Show"CBS
Cybill ShepherdCybill SheridanCybill"When You're Hot, You're Hot"
Patricia RichardsonJill TaylorHome Improvement"The Longest Day"ABC
1997
(49th)
Helen HuntJamie BuchmanMad About You"The Birth"NBC
Ellen DeGeneresEllen MorganEllen"The Puppy Episode"ABC
Patricia RichardsonJill TaylorHome Improvement"Family Unties"
Fran DrescherFran FineThe Nanny"The Facts of Lice"CBS
Cybill ShepherdCybill SheridanCybill"In Her Dreams"
1998
(50th)
Helen HuntJamie BuchmanMad About You"Moody Blues"NBC
Ellen DeGeneresEllen MorganEllen"Neighbors"ABC
Jenna Elfman Dharma Montgomery Dharma & Greg "Haus Arrest"
Patricia RichardsonJill TaylorHome Improvement"Bright Christmas"
Kirstie AlleyVeronica Chase Veronica's Closet "Pilot"NBC
Calista Flockhart Ally McBeal Ally McBeal "One Hundred Tears Away" Fox
1999
(51st)
Helen HuntJamie BuchmanMad About You"The Final Frontier"NBC
Jenna ElfmanDharma MontgomeryDharma & Greg"Are You Ready for Some Football?"ABC
Calista FlockhartAlly McBealAlly McBeal"Sideshow"Fox
Patricia Heaton Debra Barone Everybody Loves Raymond "Be Nice"CBS
Sarah Jessica Parker Carrie Bradshaw Sex and the City "The Drought" HBO

2000s

YearActressRoleProgramEpisode SubmissionsNetwork
2000
(52nd)
Patricia Heaton Debra Barone Everybody Loves Raymond "Bad Moon Rising" CBS
Jenna Elfman Dharma Montgomery Dharma & Greg "Lawyers, Beer, and Money" ABC
Jane Kaczmarek Lois Malcolm in the Middle "Red Dress" Fox
Debra Messing Grace Adler Will & Grace "Das Boob" NBC
Sarah Jessica Parker Carrie Bradshaw Sex and the City "Ex and the City" HBO
2001
(53rd)
Patricia Heaton Debra Barone Everybody Loves Raymond "The Canister"CBS
Calista Flockhart Ally McBeal Ally McBeal "Falling Up"Fox
Jane Kaczmarek Lois Malcolm in the Middle "Flashback"
Debra Messing Grace Adler Will & Grace "Lows in the Mid-Eighties"NBC
Sarah Jessica Parker Carrie Bradshaw Sex and the City "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"HBO
2002
(54th)
Jennifer Aniston Rachel Green Friends "The One Where Rachel Has a Baby"NBC
Patricia Heaton Debra Barone Everybody Loves Raymond "A Vote for Debra"CBS
Jane Kaczmarek Lois Malcolm in the Middle "Poker"Fox
Debra Messing Grace Adler Will & Grace "Bed, Bath and Beyond"NBC
Sarah Jessica Parker Carrie Bradshaw Sex and the City "The Real Me"HBO
2003
(55th)
Debra Messing Grace Adler Will & Grace "The Kid Stays Out of the Picture"NBC
Jennifer Aniston Rachel Green Friends "The One Where Monica Sings"NBC
Patricia Heaton Debra Barone Everybody Loves Raymond "Baggage"CBS
Jane Kaczmarek Lois Malcolm in the Middle "Baby"Fox
Sarah Jessica Parker Carrie Bradshaw Sex and the City "Anchors Away"HBO
2004
(56th)
Sarah Jessica Parker Carrie Bradshaw Sex and the City "An American Girl in Paris (Part Deux)"HBO
Jennifer Aniston Rachel Green Friends "The One with Rachel's Going Away Party"NBC
Patricia Heaton Debra Barone Everybody Loves Raymond "Fun with Debra"CBS
Bonnie Hunt Bonnie Malloy Life with Bonnie "Ironing Out Our Differences"ABC
Jane Kaczmarek Lois Malcolm in the Middle "Block Party"Fox
2005
(57th)
Felicity Huffman Lynette Scavo Desperate Housewives "Pilot"ABC
Marcia Cross Bree Van de Kamp Desperate Housewives"Running to Stand Still"ABC
Teri Hatcher Susan Mayer "Move On"
Patricia Heaton Debra Barone Everybody Loves Raymond "The Finale"CBS
Jane Kaczmarek Lois Malcolm in the Middle "Lois Battles Jamie"Fox
2006
(58th)
Julia Louis-Dreyfus Christine Campbell The New Adventures of Old Christine "Supertramp"CBS
Stockard Channing Lydia Barnes Out of Practice "And I'll Cry If I Want To"CBS
Jane Kaczmarek Lois Malcolm in the Middle "Lois Strikes Back"Fox
Lisa Kudrow Valerie Cherish The Comeback "Valerie Does Another Classic Leno"HBO
Debra Messing Grace Adler Will & Grace "The Finale"NBC
2007
(59th)
America Ferrera Betty Suarez Ugly Betty "Pilot"ABC
Tina Fey Liz Lemon 30 Rock "Up All Night"NBC
Felicity Huffman Lynette Scavo Desperate Housewives "Bang"ABC
Julia Louis-Dreyfus Christine Campbell The New Adventures of Old Christine "Playdate with Destiny"CBS
Mary-Louise Parker Nancy Botwin Weeds "Mrs. Botwin's Neighborhood" Showtime
2008
(60th)
Tina Fey Liz Lemon 30 Rock "Sandwich Day"NBC
Christina Applegate Samantha Newly Samantha Who? "The Restraining Order"ABC
America Ferrera Betty Suarez Ugly Betty "Odor in the Court"
Julia Louis-Dreyfus Christine Campbell The New Adventures of Old Christine "One and a Half Men"CBS
Mary-Louise Parker Nancy Botwin Weeds "Bill Sussman"Showtime
2009
(61st)
Toni Collette Tara Gregson United States of Tara "Pilot"Showtime
Christina Applegate Samantha Newly Samantha Who? "The Pill"ABC
Tina Fey Liz Lemon 30 Rock "Reunion"NBC
Julia Louis-Dreyfus Christine Campbell The New Adventures of Old Christine "Everyone Says I Love You Except Richie"CBS
Mary-Louise Parker Nancy Botwin Weeds "Lady's a Charm"Showtime
Sarah Silverman Sarah Silverman The Sarah Silverman Program "There's No Place Like Homeless" Comedy Central

2010s

YearActressRoleProgramEpisode SubmissionsNetwork
2010
(62nd)
[11]
Edie Falco Jackie Peyton Nurse Jackie "Pilot" Showtime
Tina Fey Liz Lemon 30 Rock "Dealbreakers Talk Show#0001" NBC
Amy Poehler Leslie Knope Parks and Recreation "Telethon"
Toni Collette Tara Gregson United States of Tara "Torando!"Showtime
Julia Louis-Dreyfus Christine Campbell The New Adventures of Old Christine "I Love What You Do for Me" CBS
Lea Michele Rachel Berry Glee "Sectionals" Fox
2011
(63rd)
[12]
Melissa McCarthy Molly Flynn Mike & Molly "First Date"CBS
Edie Falco Jackie Peyton Nurse Jackie "Rat Falls"Showtime
Tina Fey Liz Lemon 30 Rock "Double-Edged Sword"NBC
Laura Linney Cathy Jamison The Big C "Pilot"Showtime
Martha Plimpton Virginia Chance Raising Hope "Say Cheese"Fox
Amy Poehler Leslie Knope Parks and Recreation "Flu Season"NBC
2012
(64th)
[13]
Julia Louis-Dreyfus Selina Meyer Veep "Tears" HBO
Zooey Deschanel Jessica Day New Girl "Bad in Bed"Fox
Lena Dunham Hannah Horvath Girls "She Did"HBO
Edie Falco Jackie Peyton Nurse Jackie "Disneyland Sucks"Showtime
Tina Fey Liz Lemon 30 Rock "The Tuxedo Begins"NBC
Melissa McCarthy Molly Flynn Mike & Molly "The Dress"CBS
Amy Poehler Leslie Knope Parks and Recreation "Win, Lose, or Draw"NBC
2013
(65th)
[14]
Julia Louis-Dreyfus Selina Meyer Veep "Running"HBO
Laura Dern Amy Jellicoe Enlightened "All I Ever Wanted"HBO
Lena Dunham Hannah Horvath Girls "Bad Friend"
Edie Falco Jackie Peyton Nurse Jackie "Luck of the Drawing"Showtime
Tina Fey Liz Lemon30 Rock"Hogcock!" + "Last Lunch"NBC
Amy Poehler Leslie Knope Parks and Recreation "Emergency Response" + "Leslie and Ben"
2014
(66th)
[15]
Julia Louis-Dreyfus Selina Meyer Veep "Crate"HBO
Lena Dunham Hannah Horvath Girls "Beach House"HBO
Edie Falco Jackie Peyton Nurse Jackie "Super Greens"Showtime
Melissa McCarthy Molly Flynn Mike & Molly "Mind Over Molly"CBS
Amy Poehler Leslie Knope Parks and Recreation "Recall Vote"NBC
Taylor Schilling Piper Chapman Orange Is the New Black "The Chickening" Netflix
2015
(67th)
[16]
Julia Louis-Dreyfus Selina Meyer Veep "Election Night"HBO
Edie Falco Jackie Peyton Nurse Jackie "I Say a Little Prayer"Showtime
Lisa Kudrow Valerie Cherish The Comeback "Valerie Is Taken Seriously"HBO
Amy Poehler Leslie Knope Parks and Recreation "One Last Ride"NBC
Amy Schumer Various characters Inside Amy Schumer "Cool With It" Comedy Central
Lily Tomlin Frankie Bergstein Grace and Frankie "The Vows"Netflix
2016
(68th)
[17]
Julia Louis-Dreyfus Selina Meyer Veep "Mother"HBO
Ellie Kemper Kimmy Schmidt Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt "Kimmy Goes to a Hotel!"Netflix
Laurie Metcalf Dr. Jenna James Getting On "Am I Still Me?"HBO
Tracee Ellis Ross Dr. Rainbow Johnson Black-ish "Sink or Swim" ABC
Amy Schumer Various characters Inside Amy Schumer "Welcome to the Gun Show"Comedy Central
Lily Tomlin Frankie Bergstein Grace and Frankie "The Test"Netflix
2017
(69th)
[18]
Julia Louis-Dreyfus Selina Meyer Veep "Groundbreaking"HBO
Pamela Adlon Sam Fox Better Things "Future Fever" FX
Allison Janney Bonnie Plunkett Mom "Tush Push and Some Radishes"CBS
Ellie Kemper Kimmy Schmidt Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt "Kimmy Goes to College!"Netflix
Jane Fonda Grace Hanson Grace and Frankie "The Pot"
Tracee Ellis Ross Dr. Rainbow Johnson Black-ish "Being Bow-racial"ABC
Lily Tomlin Frankie BergsteinGrace and Frankie"The Burglary"Netflix
2018
(70th)
[19]
Rachel Brosnahan Miriam "Midge" Maisel The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel "Thank You and Good Night" Amazon
Pamela Adlon Sam Fox Better Things "Eulogy"FX
Allison Janney Bonnie Plunkett Mom "Phone Confetti and a Wee Dingle"CBS
Issa Rae Issa Dee Insecure "Hella Great"HBO
Tracee Ellis Ross Dr. Rainbow Johnson Black-ish "Elder. Scam."ABC
Lily Tomlin Frankie Bergstein Grace and Frankie "The Home"Netflix
2019
(71st)
Phoebe Waller-Bridge Fleabag Fleabag "Episode 1"Amazon
Christina Applegate Jen Harding Dead to Me "I've Gotta Get Away"Netflix
Rachel Brosnahan Miriam "Midge" Maisel The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel "Midnight at the Concord"Amazon
Julia Louis-Dreyfus Selina Meyer Veep "Veep"HBO
Natasha Lyonne Nadia Vulvokov Russian Doll "Nothing in This World Is Easy"Netflix
Catherine O'Hara Moira Rose Schitt's Creek "The Crowening" Pop TV

2020s

YearActressRoleProgramEpisode SubmissionNetwork
2020
(72nd)
Catherine O'Hara Moira Rose Schitt's Creek "The Incident" Pop TV
Christina Applegate Jen Harding Dead to Me "It's Not You, It's Me" Netflix
Rachel Brosnahan Miriam "Midge" Maisel The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel "A Jewish Girl Walks Into the Apollo..." Amazon
Linda Cardellini Judy Hale Dead to Me "If Only You Knew"Netflix
Issa Rae Issa Dee Insecure "Lowkey Happy" HBO
Tracee Ellis Ross Dr. Rainbow Johnson Black-ish "Kid Life Crisis" ABC
2021
(73rd)
Jean Smart Deborah Vance Hacks "1.69 Million" HBO Max
Aidy Bryant Annie Easton Shrill "Ranchers" Hulu
Kaley Cuoco Cassie Bowden The Flight Attendant "In Case of Emergency"HBO Max
Allison Janney Bonnie Plunkett Mom "My Kinda People and the Big To-Do" CBS
Tracee Ellis Ross Dr. Rainbow Johnson Black-ish "Babes in Boyland"ABC
2022
(74th)
Jean Smart Deborah Vance Hacks "The Click"HBO Max
Rachel Brosnahan Miriam "Midge" Maisel The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel "How Do You Get to Carnegie Hall?"Prime Video
Quinta Brunson Janine Teagues Abbott Elementary "Pilot"ABC
Kaley Cuoco Cassie Bowden The Flight Attendant "Drowning Women"HBO Max
Elle Fanning Catherine the Great The Great "Alone at Last"Hulu
Issa Rae Issa Dee Insecure "Reunited, Okay?!"HBO
2023
(75th)
Quinta Brunson Janine Teagues Abbott Elementary "Teacher Conference"ABC
Christina Applegate Jen Harding Dead to Me "We've Reached the End"Netflix
Rachel Brosnahan Miriam "Midge" Maisel The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel "Four Minutes"Prime Video
Natasha Lyonne Charlie Cale Poker Face "Dead Man's Hand" Peacock
Jenna Ortega Wednesday Addams / Goody Addams Wednesday "Friend or Woe"Netflix
2024
(76th)
Jean Smart Deborah Vance Hacks "Yes, And" Max
Quinta Brunson Janine Teagues Abbott Elementary "Party" ABC
Ayo Edebiri Sydney Adamu The Bear "Sundae" FX
Selena Gomez Mabel Mora Only Murders in the Building "Ghost Light" Hulu
Maya Rudolph Molly Novak Loot "Space for Everyone" Apple TV+
Kristen Wiig Maxine Dellacorte-Simmons Palm Royale "Maxine Throws a Party"

Superlatives

Superlative Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Actress with most awards Julia Louis-Dreyfus (7)
Actress with most nominations Julia Louis-Dreyfus (12)
Actress with most nominations
without ever winning
Jane Kaczmarek (7)

Programs with multiple wins

Performers with multiple wins

Programs with multiple nominations

Performers with multiple nominations

Total awards by network

See also

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Early Emmy ceremonies did not have genre-specific acting categories

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This is a list of winners and nominees of the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series. The award is presented to the best performance by a lead actor in a television comedy series. Beginning with the 18th Primetime Emmy Awards, leading actors in comedy have competed alone. However, these comedic performances included actors from miniseries, telefilms, and guest performers competing against main cast competitors. Such instances are marked below:

This is a list of winners and nominees of the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. In early Primetime Emmy Award ceremonies, the supporting categories were not always genre-, or even gender-, specific. Beginning with the 22nd Primetime Emmy Awards, supporting actresses in comedy have competed alone. However, these comedic performances often included actors from miniseries, telefilms, and guest performers competing against main cast competitors. Such instances are marked below:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series</span> Award for supporting actor in a television comedy series

This is a list of winners and nominees of the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. In early Primetime Emmy Award ceremonies, the supporting categories were not always genre, or even gender, specific. Beginning with the 22nd Primetime Emmy Awards, supporting actors in comedy have competed alone. However, these comedic performances often included actors from miniseries, telefilms, and guest performers competing against main cast competitors. Such instances are marked below:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series</span> American television award

This is a list of winners and nominees of the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series. Prior to 1988 the category was not gender specific, thus was called Outstanding Guest Performer in a Comedy Series. These awards, like the other "Guest" awards, are not presented at the Primetime Emmy Award ceremony, but rather at the Creative Arts Emmy Award ceremony.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series</span> Award for actresses

This is a list of winners and nominees of the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series. Prior to 1989, the category was not gender-specific, and, thus, was called Outstanding Guest Performer in a Comedy Series. It is given in honor to an actress who has delivered an outstanding performance in a guest-starring role in a television comedy series. The current recipient is Jamie Lee Curtis for The Bear. Since the category change in 1989, a total of 34 actresses were awarded for their performances. The most awarded actress is Cloris Leachman, with 3 wins, followed by Tina Fey, Colleen Dewhurst, Kathryn Joosten, Jean Smart, Tracey Ullman, Betty White, and Maya Rudolph, with 2 wins. These awards, like the other "Guest" awards, were previously not presented at the Primetime Emmy Award ceremony, but, rather, at the Creative Arts Emmy Award ceremony.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series</span> Award for lead actress in a television drama series

The Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series is an award presented annually in the U.S. by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS). It is given in honor of an actress who has delivered an outstanding performance in a leading role on a television drama series for the primetime network season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series</span> Award for lead actor in a television drama series

The Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series is an award presented by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS). Beginning with the 18th Primetime Emmy Awards, leading actors in drama have competed alone. However, these dramatic performances included actors from miniseries, telefilms, and guest performers competing against main cast competitors. Such instances are marked below:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie</span> American television award

The Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie is an award presented annually by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS). It is given in honor of an actress who has delivered an outstanding performance in a leading role on a television limited series or television movie for the primetime network season.

The Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie is an award presented annually by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS). It is given in honor of an actor who has delivered an outstanding performance in a leading role on a television limited series or television movie for the primetime network season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series</span> Primetime Emmy Award

The Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series is an award presented by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS). In early Primetime Emmy Award ceremonies, the supporting categories were not always genre-, or even gender-, specific. Beginning with the 22nd Primetime Emmy Awards, supporting actresses in drama have competed alone. However, these dramatic performances often included actresses from miniseries, telefilms, and guest performers competing against main cast competitors. Such instances are marked below:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie</span>

This is a list of winners and nominees of the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie. Before 1975, supporting actors featured in a miniseries or movie were included in categories such as comedy or drama. From 1975 to 1978, the award was called Outstanding Single Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Comedy or Drama Special. Despite the category's name, actors appearing in many episodes of a miniseries were included. In 1979, the award was named Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Special. The award was renamed again in 1986, in Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Special. By 1998, the award was renamed Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Movie.

The Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie is an award presented annually by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS). It is given in honor of an actress who has delivered an outstanding performance in a supporting role on a television limited series or television movie for the primetime network season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series</span> Annual award

The Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series is an award presented annually by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS). It is given in honor of an actor who has delivered an outstanding performance in a guest starring role on a television drama series for the primetime network season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series</span> Award

The Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series is an award presented by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS). In early Primetime Emmy Award ceremonies, the supporting categories were not always genre, or even gender, specific. Beginning with the 22nd Primetime Emmy Awards, supporting actors in drama have competed alone. However, these dramatic performances often included actors from miniseries, telefilms, and guest performers competing against main cast competitors. Such instances are marked below:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Primetime Emmy Awards</span> Academy of Television Arts & Sciences accolade

The Primetime Emmy Awards, or Primetime Emmys, are part of the extensive range of Emmy Awards for artistic and technical merit for the American television industry. Bestowed by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS), the Primetime Emmys are presented in recognition of excellence in American primetime television programming. The award categories are divided into three classes: the regular Primetime Emmy Awards, the Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards to honor technical and other similar behind-the-scenes achievements, and the Primetime Engineering Emmy Awards for recognizing significant contributions to the engineering and technological aspects of television. First given out in 1949, the award was originally referred to as simply the "Emmy Award" until the International Emmy Award and the Daytime Emmy Award were created in the early 1970s to expand the Emmy to other sectors of the television industry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series</span> Emmy award

The Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series is an award that is presented annually by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS). It is given in honor of an actress who has delivered an outstanding performance in a guest starring role on a television drama series for the primetime network season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">63rd Primetime Emmy Awards</span> 2011 American television programming awards

The 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards, honoring the best in prime time television programming from June 1, 2010, until May 31, 2011, were held on Sunday, September 18, 2011, at the Nokia Theatre in Downtown Los Angeles, California. Fox televised the ceremony within the United States. Jane Lynch hosted the Emmys for the first time. The Creative Arts Emmy Awards ceremony was held on September 10.

References

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